Jun 29 So smart

The smartest company in the world? That’s Nvidia, a leading provider of processing power for AI software, according to the latest 50 Smartest Companies ranking. The MIT Technology Review, which compiles the list, says the outfit deserves top spot as it continues to tweak its chips to help develop breakthrough technologies like deep learning and autonomous driving.

VW is also pretty impressed with Nvidia. The car maker said this week that its was working with the company to expand its competence in the field of deep learning at the Volkswagen Data Lab in Munich. The location is the group's centre of excellence for AI and data analysis and is looking to use deep learning for mobility services. It is currently developing new procedures for optimising traffic flow in urban areas as part of its smart cities activities.

"Artificial intelligence is the key to the digital future of the Volkswagen Group,” says Dr Martin Hofmann, CIO at VW. “We want to develop and deploy high-performance AI systems ourselves.”

The company has launched a support programme at Data Lab to provide technical and financial support for international start-ups developing machine learning and deep learning applications for the automotive industry. Together with Nvidia, Volkswagen will be admitting five start0ups to the programme starting in the autumn.

In addition, the partners are planning a ‘Summer of Code’ camp where high-performing students with qualifications in IT, mathematics or physics will have the chance to develop deep learning methods in teams and to implement them in a robotics environment.

Also this week, Volvo has announced an alliance with Autoliv, to develop self-driving vehicle software based on Nvidia’s Drive PX AI computing platform. Volvo and Nvidia have also partnered on Volvo’s ‘Drive Me’ autonomous car pilot project.